A Publication of:

OSU Extension - Fairfield County

831 College Ave., Suite D, Lancaster, OH 43130

and the

OSU Extension BEEF Team

BEEF Cattle questions may be directed to the OSU Extension BEEF Team through Stephen Boyles or Stan Smith, Editor

You may subscribe to this weekly BEEF Cattle letter by sending a blank e-mail to beef-cattle-on@ag.osu.edu

Previous issues of the BEEF Cattle letter

Issue # 562

November 14, 2007

Forage Focus: Analyzing Your Forage - Clif Little, Extension Educator, Guernsey County

Forage quality changes with maturity and storage. A forage test can supply useful information about the nutritive value of hay or pasture. This information can be used to adjust the amount of supplement fed. If forage quality is high, the producer can feed less supplement, resulting in savings. Conversely, if the forage quality is low, diet supplementation can improve animal performance, and increase profits. This article discusses how to take a forage sample and how to interpret the laboratory results.

Taking a forage sample: Forage testing forms can be obtained from many county Extension offices or from the website of the lab you plan to use. Several labs are listed here. These forms contain complete instructions on how to collect forage samples. Proper collection and identification of a sample is very important. A tool is needed to collect hay samples. Your local Extension office may have a Penn State Forage Sampler or similar device. A hay sampler consists of a long tube with a cutting edge on one end and a shank on the other that can be fastened to an electric drill or hand brace.

To correctly sample a rectangular bale, the bit is driven into the end of 18 to 20 bales from a particular lot of hay. Drill to the full depth of the sample tube on loose bales and half depth in tight bales. Mix the cores thoroughly and send the entire sample to the lab in a sealed plastic bag.

Large round bales should be sampled on the rounded side of the bale. Collect a single sample from each of 10 to 12 bales from the same lot, combining the core samples into one sample for analysis. If the outer layer of the round bale is weathered, pull away 1 to 2 inches and sample underneath. Drill to the full depth of the tube.

Your hay should be segregated into lots, each lot representing a fairly uniform population of hay. For example, each hay type and cutting should be sampled and analyzed separately. Hay harvested on different dates within a cutting or even from different fields should also be sampled separately. Therefore, it is important that each cutting is stored separately and can be identified with its forage test. When sampling forages one cannot over stress the importance of proper sampling technique. Samples should be representative and selected at random. In summary, sample each lot of forage separately, and make sure that the forage can be identified with its analysis when feeding.

Silage can also be analyzed. To sample silage, run the unloader and collect from the feed bunk in 5 to 6 places. Put four handfuls of silage into a plastic bag. Collect samples for two or three days, then mix thoroughly and subsample 1 to 2 pounds. Keep samples in the refrigerator during the collection period and store them in a plastic bag. Seal the bag, attach a completed tag and mail immediately or freeze and mail the frozen sample to the laboratory.

Bagged silage can be sampled by cutting slits along the side of the bag in 5 to 6 places. Collect handfuls and mix in a clean plastic bucket. Mix well and bag in plastic with a tag. Reseal the slit with heavy duty tape.

Silage can also be sampled while it is going into the silo. Collect representative samples from each wagon as it is unloaded and mail immediately or freeze the samples. Take the same number of samples from each wagon and keep them in a container. If the silage lot changes (i.e., a particular hybrid, field, area of the farm), start another container. When all samples have been collected, mix the sample within each container, and collect a random 1 to 2 pound subsample for analysis. Seal in a plastic bag and send to the lab immediately or freeze if they can't be mailed promptly. Fresh silage samples are a good way to plan your feeding program. However, it is a good idea to sample silages when they are being fed and have gone through the fermentation process.

Pastures can be sampled by collecting pasture grass at the height animals are grazing. Collect random grab samples of forage from several locations. Air dry the sample if possible, before sending to the laboratory. This can be done by hanging the forage inside a burlap bag for about a week. Fresh samples should be mailed immediately. There are many reasons to forage test. If you are considering testing your forage, most forage testing labs can provide forage or feed analysis.

Interpreting Lab Test Results: Let's say you have sampled four lots of different hay. Let's take a look at some typical lab results. Table 1 shows samples taken from hay produced on a farm in Guernsey County. These samples were all harvested in mid- to late June.

Now that we have our results, how do we use them and what do they mean? As a hay producer you probably have a similar scenario, several lots of hay, each with a different nutrient composition. Let's go through our report and look at the differences between each nutrient and finally determine how we might use these forages. As we consider the nutrient levels in our hay we should consider the animal's sex, weight, daily gain, stage of production, and environmental conditions.

The analysis of these forages has indicated that only one sample (158) can meet most of the nutrient requirements for our cattle. The three other hay sources will need to be supplemented with a protein source and mineral supplement. Our good quality hay should be used for cows requiring an improvement in body condition or lactating and growing animals.

Analyzing your ration will save you money and help to ensure the nutrient requirements of your cattle are being met. Almost all forages should be provided with access to trace mineralized salt. Hay quality is most affected by maturity. Early harvest and pasture rotation before seed heads appear will greatly improve the quality of your forage. Forage quality can vary significantly and so can the nutrient content of your forage. A forage analysis can help you evaluate the nutritive value of hay when buying and selling hay. Without this analysis is will be difficult to correctly determine your winter supplementation program. For assistance with your forage analysis, contact your local Extension office.

Table 1. Analytical Results on a 100 Percent Dry Matter Basis (Except as Noted)

Attend the Heart of America & Mid-Missouri Grazing Conference with the OFGC

Join Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council for a bus trip to the Heart of America and Mid-Missouri Grazing Conference in Columbia, Missouri on January 7 and 8, 2008. Featured speakers are Greg Judy, Missouri grazier and author talking about "Opportunities in Grazing"; Kit Pharo, discussing " From Production to Profit in Ranching". Breakout sessions include Charles Fletcher, dairyman, Greg Judy, multi-species and Allen and Tauna Powell, beef farmers as well as topics about Grazing Economics, Legumes and Alternative Nitrogen Fertilizers, Fence and Water Demonstrations and Managing Mud in a Grazing System.

We will be traveling by Pioneer Trail Bus leaving Holmes County, Ohio at 5:00 a.m. on Monday January 7 and returning the evening of January 8, 2008 after the last session. The price includes bus transportation, registration for conference and hotel registration. If you are a member of Ohio Forage & Grasslands Council, the cost is $200 with double occupancy in hotel room. Single occupancy is $240 for OFGC members. Non-member costs are $230 for double occupancy and $275 for single occupancy. There will be two pick up points: Pioneer Trail Bus Company north of Millersburg and at London, Ohio at the Farm Science Review site.

Deadline to register for this trip is December 7, 2007.

For more information, contact Gary Wilson at 419.422.3851. Send your registrations to OFGC, P.O. Box 488, Coshocton, OH 43812 as soon as possible. There is limited space.

Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) Sign-up Underway

Sign-up into the USDA's Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) which is being conducted by the Farm Service Agency began September 10, 2007. LCP compensates livestock producers for feed losses, due to a natural disaster. Producers in primary counties declared Secretarial disaster areas or certain counties declared Presidential disaster areas between January 1, 2005, and February 28, 2007, are eligible as are producers located in counties contiguous to those counties. This includes Ohio's Counties.

To be eligible under LCP, livestock must have been maintained for commercial use in an eligible county on the beginning date of the disaster period. Producers incurring a loss in more than one year, must choose only one year for which to receive benefits.

FSA will calculate payments by multiplying the national payment rate for each livestock category (sheep and goats, $2.67; adult beef, $10.66; non-adult beef, $8.00; and some equine, $7.89) by the number of eligible livestock in each category. Camelids (llama, alpaca, camel, etc) are not included.

For more information about LCP and to find out if you are eligible for payments, visit your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office or go to the FSA Disaster Assistance Programs web site.

Beef 509 Program Returns in January

The dates have been set for the 2008 BEEF 509 program. The BEEF 509 program is held to raise the awareness level about the beef that is produced and the reasons why it sometimes misses its mark with consumers' palates and producers' pocketbooks. It will take place on two Saturdays in January. The first day will be Saturday, Jan. 12, and the second day will be Saturday, Jan. 26. Each day will be filled with programs beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding in the early evening. The program will take place at The Ohio State University Animal Sciences building in Columbus. All the same information and activities from past 509 programs will be included. It will be critical to attend both days as participants will be assigned to teams that will work together for both days of the program. The live animal evaluation, auction and grid discussion will take place on Jan. 12. Carcass grading and fabrication are among the activities planned for Jan. 26.

A maximum of 32 spaces will be available on a first come, first served basis. If interest in BEEF 509 exceeds the 32 spaces provided, names will be held and applicants notified of upcoming sessions. The registration fee for each BEEF 509 participant is $150. The program is the result of a partnership with the Ohio Beef Council, The Ohio State University Extension and The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences. These entities will be funding all remaining costs associated with the BEEF 509 program.

For additional information on BEEF 509, call the Ohio Beef Council office at 614-873-6736 or visit www.ohiobeef.org. Deadline for registration for the program is December 15, 2007.

Weekly Roberts Agricultural Commodity Market Report - Mike Roberts, Commodity Marketing Agent, Virginia Tech

LIVE CATTLE futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) closed up on Monday. DEC'07LC futures finished up $1.125/cwt at $95.850/cwt and $0.500/cwt higher than last week at this time. The FEB'08LC contract closed at $98.750/cwt, up $1.150/cwt. Prices may be starting to work higher due to upcoming holidays and tighter supplies. Futures were supported early by hedge lifting and short covering. Cash, fat cattle were steady near $93/cwt in the Plains. The 5-area price was placed at $91.77/cwt. Packers were paying up for cattle despite negative cutout margins. According to HedgersEdge.com, the average beef plant margin for Monday was around a negative $80.25/head, $3.30/head worse than Friday and $8.10/head worse than last Monday. Processing rates were lower than expected prompting USDA to revise Saturday's rate downward. USDA estimated Monday's slaughter at 122,000 head vs. estimates for between 126,000 - 129,000 head. 130,000 head were processed this time last week and 127,000 head this time last year. Boxed beef rose somewhat. USDA put the choice beef boxed beef cutout at $139.34/cwt, up $1.35/cwt. Cash sellers should try to sell on these rallies while packers are willing to pay.

FEEDER CATTLE futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) closed down on Monday. DEC'07LC futures finished off $0.400/cwt at $95.100/cwt. The FEB'08LC contract closed at $97.950/cwt, down $0.375/cwt. Cash cattle sales were disappointing at the end of last week as the market cranked up amid light trade. Goldman Sachs and other funds rolled about 10,000 contracts on Monday. Packers were not aggressively buying cattle amid slow slaughter while another month of higher-than-expected placements was noted. Tumbling lean hogs also proved bearish to cattle. USDA on Monday put the choice boxed beef cutout at $141.23/cwt, up $1.23/cwt. Cash sellers should not hurry to sell until packers are willing to pay up. Hold pricing short term corn supplies but watch for opportunities to do so in the near future.

Visit the OSU Beef Team calendar of meetings and upcoming events

BEEF Cattle is a weekly publication of Ohio State University Extension in Fairfield County and the OSU Beef Team. Contributors include members of the Beef Team and other beef cattle specialists and economists from across the U.S.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension. TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868

Fairfield County Agriculture and Natural Resources